Number 1: One Amazing Thing!

Materials Needed

• Large paper or a small whiteboard
• Crayon or washable marker
• One toy, stuffed animal, or household object
• Several small objects, such as blocks, buttons, or toy animals
• Paper and crayons
• Optional: number cards or a favorite counting song

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:

• Recognize the numeral 1.
• Count one object accurately.
• Show one object when asked.
• Trace or draw the numeral 1 with support.
• Use the word “one” in a simple sentence.

Success Criteria

I can:

• Point to the number 1.
• Give you one object.
• Say, “One!” when I count.
• Try to write or trace 1.

Introduction: One Special Surprise

Time: 5 minutes

Hide one favorite toy in a small bag or behind your back.

Say: “I have a surprise! How many toys do you think I have?”

Reveal the toy and say: “I have one toy. One means just one.”

Invite the child to repeat:

• “One toy.”
• “One hand.”
• “One nose.”

Today we will learn about the number 1. We will find one thing, count one thing, and make the number 1.

Body of the Lesson

1. I Do: Meet the Number 1

Time: 5 minutes

Draw a large numeral 1 on paper or a whiteboard.

Say: “This is the number 1. We say one.”

Trace the number slowly with your finger while saying:

“Start at the top. Go straight down. That makes 1.”

Show one object beside the numeral 1. Say:

“The number 1 tells us there is one object.”

Quick check: Ask, “Can you point to the number 1?”

2. We Do: Find One

Time: 8 minutes

Place several groups of objects in front of the child. For example, place one block in one group, two blocks in another group, and three blocks in another group.

Say: “Let’s find the group with one block.”

Count each group together slowly. Touch each object as you count:

• “One.”
• “One, two.”
• “One, two, three.”

Ask:

• “Which group has one block?”
• “Can you give me one block?”
• “Can you put one toy in the basket?”

Think-and-share: Ask the child to look around the room and find one thing. The child may choose one chair, one book, one shoe, or another safe object.

3. Movement Game: One-Step Number Hunt

Time: 5 minutes

Place the numeral 1 somewhere nearby.

Give simple directions:

• “Take one step toward the number 1.”
• “Touch the number 1 one time.”
• “Do one jump.”
• “Clap one time.”
• “Spin around one time.”

After each action, say: “You did it one time!”

Remind the child: “One means just one.”

4. We Do: Make the Number 1

Time: 7 minutes

Use a finger to trace the large number 1. Then invite the child to trace it.

Try tracing the number 1 in different ways:

• In the air
• On the table with a finger
• In sand, flour, or rice, if available
• With a crayon on paper

Use the same short direction each time:

“Start at the top. Go straight down. That makes 1.”

Give specific encouragement:

• “You started at the top.”
• “You made one long line.”
• “You kept trying.”

5. You Do: One-Object Challenge

Time: 8 minutes

Invite the child to choose one activity:

1. Draw one sun.
2. Build one tower with one block.
3. Give one toy to a stuffed animal.
4. Make one dot with a crayon.
5. Find one object that is red, blue, or another chosen color.

Ask the child to explain what they made:

“I made one ______.”

Help the child use the sentence if needed.

Formative assessment: Ask the child to:

• Point to the numeral 1.
• Show one finger.
• Give you one object.
• Count the object by saying “one.”

Real-World Connection

Talk about things people have one of:

• “We have one sun in the sky.”
• “A person can have one nose.”
• “A tricycle has one seat for the rider.”
• “We can choose one book to read.”

Invite the child to name one thing they see at home.

Conclusion: Tell What We Learned

Time: 5 minutes

Hold up the numeral 1 and ask:

• “What number is this?”
• “How many is one?”
• “Can you show me one finger?”
• “Can you find one toy?”

Recap together:

“Today we learned about the number 1. One means just one. We found one object, counted one object, and practiced making the number 1.”

End with a short chant:

“One, one, that is fun! One finger, one toy, one big smile!”

Summative Assessment

Ask the child to complete this short demonstration:

1. Point to the numeral 1 among two or three numeral choices.
2. Choose one object from a group.
3. Say “one” while counting it.
4. Trace or attempt to draw the numeral 1.

Successful learning: The child completes most tasks with little or no help. Celebrate effort and improvement, even if the numeral is not yet formed perfectly.

Differentiation and Support

For Extra Support

• Use only one object at a time.
• Guide the child’s hand while tracing.
• Repeat the phrase, “One means just one.”
• Use large objects and a large numeral.
• Allow the child to answer by pointing instead of speaking.

For an Extra Challenge

• Ask the child to find three groups that each have one object.
• Invite the child to write the numeral 1 independently.
• Ask, “What happens if we add one more?”
• Have the child create a picture with one sun, one tree, or one animal.

Optional Follow-Up Activities

• Sing a counting song that begins with one.
• Read a picture book about counting or the number 1.
• Take a “find one” walk and look for one leaf, one rock, or one bird.
• Place one snack on a plate and count it together before eating.